Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of using e-learning in teaching in tertiary institutions. In institutions of higher education, the issue of utilizing modern information and communication technologies for teaching and learning is very important. The importance of e-learning in our educational system as well as the nation’s development cannot be over-emphasized. The use of e-learning in impartation and acquisition of knowledge by lecturers and students is becoming a vital tool in meeting the demands of education in the 21st century. The paper is aimed at exploring the prospects and challenges of e-leaning towards promoting best practices in university education in Nigeria. It was discovered that effective communication between lecturers and students is enhanced through e-learning which has the potential to make learning to be realized faster and more efficiently than existing learning methods. However, literature revealed that the major challenges to e-learning remain that the various technologies used do not make provision for people who are visually impaired; unavailability of the equipment such as computers, digital technology, and internet for proper utilization due to cost; irregular supply of electricity, lack of both technical and social skills required for the implementation of e-learning. Recommendations made include the development of voice-based e-learning applications for the visually impaired faculties and learners; recruitment of indigenous IT professionals for the development of low-cost software packages; provision of incentives for private and non-governmental organizations that contribute to e-learning in Nigerian universities; Therefore, The paper pointed out that, for the challenges of Nigerian university education to be reduced to a minimum, the Federal Government should improve on educational funding as UNESCO recommended 26% of the annual budget. Also, the government should fulfil her promise on the issue of improving Electricity supply in the country. Furthermore, the university administrators should embark on awareness and training of staff on the use of ICTs, with motivations attached. The Internet is a major driver of ICT in education and bandwidth is a major issue in the deployment of e-learning. Therefore, the government should make Internet connectivity a priority for higher education to be able to leverage on the promises and opportunities ICTs present.

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